The Restaurant Letter of Intent: Locking in Your Deal Terms Before the Lawyers Fight Over the Lease
The Restaurant Letter of Intent: Locking in Your Deal Terms Before the Lawyers Fight Over the Lease By Andreas Koutsoudakis, Partner | Hospitality and Restaurant Law The Letter of Intent (LOI) is where you set the business deal. The lease is where the lawyers argue over the details. If the LOI is vague or one-sided, […]
Before You Sign Anything: Site Selection, Zoning, and Building Issues for NYC Restaurants
Before You Sign Anything: Site Selection, Zoning, and Building Issues for NYC Restaurants By Andreas Koutsoudakis, Partner | Hospitality and Restaurant Law In New York City, picking the wrong space can kill a restaurant before the first plate leaves the pass. The rent might be “fair,” the block might be hot, and the landlord might […]
Who’s Really in Charge? Governance, Control, and Voting Rules for Restaurant Owners
Who’s Really in Charge? Governance, Control, and Voting Rules for Restaurant Owners By Andreas Koutsoudakis, Partner | Hospitality and Restaurant Law Many restaurant disputes boil down to one question: “Who gets to decide?” Is it the chef? The money partner? The majority owner? The answer should be in your governance structure — not in the […]
My Fashion (Legal) Odyssey: Part 7 – Growing Your Business Through International License And Distribution Agreements
My Fashion (Legal) Odyssey: Part 7 Growing Your Business Through International License and Distribution Agreements While economists may argue about whether globalization has turned the world flat, there is no doubt that American fashion companies and designers have increasingly looked abroad to grow their businesses. I know from where I speak. I’ve represented a leading […]
The Restaurant Operating Agreement: 10 Clauses That Prevent Partner Disasters
The Restaurant Operating Agreement: 10 Clauses That Prevent Partner Disasters By Andreas Koutsoudakis, Partner | Hospitality and Restaurant Law An operating agreement (for an LLC) or shareholders’ agreement (for a corporation) is where you and your partners decide how the relationship really works. Without it, New York’s default rules step in — and those rules […]
How to Split the Pie: Equity, “Sweat” Ownership, and Investors in Restaurant Deals
How to Split the Pie: Equity, “Sweat” Ownership, and Investors in Restaurant Deals By Andreas Koutsoudakis, Partner | Hospitality and Restaurant Law Restaurant deals almost always involve some mix of: A chef or operator contributing sweat and expertise, One or more money partners, and Maybe a landlord, advisor, or brand partner in the background. If […]
Choosing the Right Entity for Your NYC Restaurant: LLC, Corporation, or Something Else?
Choosing the Right Entity for Your NYC Restaurant: LLC, Corporation, or Something Else? By Andreas Koutsoudakis, Partner | Hospitality and Restaurant Law For a New York City restaurant owner, the entity you choose isn’t just a formality — it affects your taxes, personal liability, fundraising options, and even how easily you can sell or expand […]
90 Days Before Filing: A Pre-Bankruptcy Planning Checklist for New York Restaurant Owners
90 Days Before Filing: A Pre-Bankruptcy Planning Checklist for New York Restaurant Owners By Andreas Koutsoudakis, Partner | Hospitality and Restaurant Law Most restaurant bankruptcies are won or lost before the case is ever filed. The 90 days leading up to a filing are critical for New York restaurant owners: the moves you make (or […]
Subchapter V for Restaurants: A Streamlined Chapter 11 Option for New York Owners
Subchapter V for Restaurants: A Streamlined Chapter 11 Option for New York Owners By Andreas Koutsoudakis, Partner | Hospitality and Restaurant Law Traditional Chapter 11 can feel out of reach for many independent and small‑group New York restaurants: it’s complex, time‑consuming, and expensive. Subchapter V, a relatively new part of Chapter 11, was designed to […]
Buyout Options for Divorcing Restaurant Owners
Buyout Options for Divorcing Restaurant Owners By Andreas Koutsoudakis, Partner | Hospitality and Restaurant Law Introduction: Divorce can be especially complicated for restaurant owners, as it often involves not just dividing personal assets but also making tough decisions about the future of the business. When one spouse is entitled to a share of the restaurant, […]